Abu Dhabi Week welcomes the luxurious Q50 to the capital
CONNOISSEURS of luxurious, high-tech automobiles could celebrate this week as the all-new Infiniti Q50 premium sports sedan made its debut in Abu Dhabi.
Al Masaood Automobiles (AMA), the authorised distributor of Infiniti in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, welcomed the first vehicles ready for eager customers, with excitement building over the latest innovations the car boasts.
“Infiniti Q50 offers athletic and dynamic styling, sensational performance and the very latest automotive technology, giving an unforgettable emotional experience. We at Al Masaood Automobiles are dedicated to provide our customers with state-of-the-art cars, a memorable driving experience and exceptional performance,” said Irfan Tansel, the CEO of AMA.
At the recent launch event in the capital, Juergen Schmitz, general manager, Infiniti in the Middle East, added: “The Infiniti Q50 introduces a new era of technologies and world-firsts to its range.
“After ten years of development, we have transferred the digital steering system used in aviation for decades to the automotive industry and made it standard across the Infiniti Q50 range in the Middle East in the form of ‘Direct Adaptive Steering’. It offers the driver multiple settings of steering weight and response speed, giving them a personalised driving experience to suit their mood, whether it be inspired by performance or the desire for comfort.”
The Q50 sedan purports to capture the Infiniti’s vision in offering the essence of luxury combined with innovative technologies and distinct design to the young-minded customers and provides them with a unique, personalised and unforgettable experience, with the car earning its first Middle East award in 2013, claiming the title of ‘Best car of the Year 2014’ by one of the region’s leading automotive publications, Sport Auto.
The Infiniti Q50 range introduces the brand’s first hybrid powertrain to the Middle East alongside the refined 326-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 engine. Infiniti Q50 Hybrid boasts a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid System delivering net 350 horsepower and 536Nm of combined torque with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control, making it capable of reaching 100km/h from a standing start in 5.1 seconds. It is available in Premium and Sport grades; the latter featuring sport styling, brakes and suspension tuning. The entire model range is equipped with a refined seven-speed automatic transmission with available solid magnesium paddle shifters.
Other world-firsts include Predictive Forward Collision Warning system, Active Lane Control™ and Infiniti InTouch™ – a next-generation system with dual touchscreen displays and smart phone connectivity.
Future plans
Having recorded a 43 per cent growth in Infiniti sales over the past year and with two new Infiniti Centres to open in Abu Dhabi within a year, Infiniti Q50 is a critical model for AMA’s growth strategy.
“Abu Dhabi has been a key market for Infiniti since the brand was launched in the Middle East here in 2005,” Tansel added. “Infiniti sales in Abu Dhabi outperformed all market expectations last year with 43 per cent growth compared to the previous year – one of the highest rates of growth for the brand globally. In the same period the UAE’s premium market grew by just 17 per cent. We at AMA are confident that with a positive forecast for the UAE economy, and particularly projected growth for Abu Dhabi, introduction of new models such as the Infiniti Q50 and IREDI compliant Infiniti Centres we will continue to deliver outstanding growth results.”
AMA is planning to finish two IREDI (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) compliant Infiniti Centres in Abu Dhabi by March 2015. One of them will be on the prestigious Abu Dhabi Corniche in the Landmark Tower.
